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as it has not yet been possible to obtain central accommodation
which could be made available as an Area Health Office.
The separation of members of the staff in this way is unfortunate,
and is a problem which we hope will one day be
solved. Clerks are also stationed at most of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Centres in the Area. This arrangement
facilitates the clerical work carried out at these Centres.
The clerical staff employed in the Area consists of
the following:
1 Chief Clerk
1 Deputy Chief Clerk
2 APT IV
1 Higher Clerical Division
4 Clerical Division
20½ General Division
1 Telephonist
The work is, to a certain extent sectionalised, although
the setting-up of watertight compartments has been
carefully avoided. Minor changes in the administrative
pattern take place from time to time, in the light of experience.
During the year, five members of the clerical
staff resigned for various reasons, their places being
filled in each instance.
As the Committee will be aware, Mr. P.E. Barber, the
Chief Clerk, suffered a heart attack in November last. The
Committee will also be aware that Mr. Barber has not returned
to work, but has expressed his intention to retire. I
should like to pay a sincere tribute to Mr. Barber, who has
been associated with me personally, first as Chief Clerk in
the Southgate Public Health Department and later as Area
Chief Clerk, for the past 23 years. No one could have
wished for a better or more zealous and conscientious
colleague, although we are extremely happy to have, in
Mr. G.W. Jones, a very worthy successor.
5. ANTE-NATAL. POST-NATAL and CHILD WELFARE CLINICS.
By the end of 1953, Ante-natal Clinics, at which postnatal
cases also attended, were provided in eight premises
throughout the Area, approximately nine sessions being held
every week, with an average attendance of 14.
Both Health Visitors and Midwives attended these clinics,
acting under the direction of an Assistant Medical Officer.
In addition, one session was held each week in Southgate,
at which midwives only attended. The average attendance
at this session was nine.
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